Honors College Annual Student Awards

The award for Outstanding Honors Senior recognizes the student from each campus who exemplifies the highest ideals of the University Honors Program. 

Number of awards: Two awards, one designated for a senior whose major is based on the Kennesaw campus; one for a student whose major is based on the Marietta campus

Award Criteria

Candidates must:

• Be in good standing with the Honors Program, including an adjusted KSU GPA of 3.25 or better
• Have completed at least 90 hours of coursework, with an A or B in each honors course
• Be on track to graduate as an Honors Scholar

In addition to the essential criteria above, preference will be given to candidates who have completed the majority of their Honors requirements, have a fully approved capstone proposal, and have substantive scholarly, creative, or service-related achievements shared with publics beyond the classroom.  

Examples may include, but are not limited to:

• Presentation(s) at state, regional, or national conference(s)
• Publications in scholarly journals  
• Merit-based scholarships, prizes or awards for excellence in the student’s field of study
• Work in a campus position that supports research or teaching, such as lab assistant, supplemental instruction leader, tutor, research assistant, peer mentor, or teaching assistant  
• Noteworthy accomplishments in an internship, co-op or other field experience related to the student’s field of study
• A substantive honors service-learning project reflecting community engagement
• Active participation in special honors groups such as the Great Books or President’s Emerging
• Global Scholars cohorts
• Leadership in the Honors Club or as an Honors representative in student government
• Other major positions of campus leadership or engagement

Nomination and Application Process:

Prospective candidates for the award will be identified in early spring of each year through:

• Nominations by Honors faculty and capstone mentors, and/or
• Invitation to all seniors with a 3.7-4.0 GPA who meet the essential criteria above for good standing with the Honors Program

Number of awards: 2 awards, one designated for a student whose major is based on the Kennesaw campus; one for a student whose major is based on the Marietta campus

Award criteria: 

For research theses:

• Importance of topic or question
• Appropriateness of methodological choices
• Quality of analysis and interpretation of results
• Overall quality of writing and presentation

For applied projects:

• Importance of topic
• Originality
• Quality of execution
• Contribution to the student’s field
• Overall quality of writing and presentation

Selection process: Candidates for the award will be nominated by faculty who serve as Honors capstone mentors, Honors liaisons, and Honors faculty. A committee of Honors College faculty will decide on the winners.